Method and system for retail product management

ABSTRACT

A method for processing dealership vehicle information is provided, including the step of receiving and storing in one step vehicle data for a dealership. A method is also provided for determining adjusted gross profit on a vehicle based on interest assistance variables.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of computer software,in particular, retail product management software for automobiledealerships.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

[0002] In general, retail product management systems are computerizedsystems that assist retailers with tracking, managing, and financing theinventory of products that they sell.

[0003] The present invention is an improvement on prior art retailproduct management systems. It includes a networked system for providingsales reports, inventory reports, and other retail productmanagement-related analysis and consulting services. The application ofthe illustrated embodiment is directed to automobile dealerships,including both new and/or used vehicle sales. The term “vehicle” as usedherein includes any means of conveying persons or things, such as cars,minivans, trucks, sport utility vehicles and other similar vehicles.However, it is understood that the present invention may be applied toother retail product industries.

[0004] The present invention provides enhanced analysis and reportingoptions which may be customized by manufacturer, product, model, orvarious attributes of a product. The results are communicated toretailers automatically. The improved analysis and reportingcapabilities of the present invention are expected to allow retailers toincrease gross profit and reduce inventory and interest costs.

[0005] Additional advantages of the system of the present inventioninclude: the number of steps required for retailer data to be loaded andconverted into a suitable form for storage, searching, and analysis isreduced; a flexible and easy-to-use analysis and reporting structure isprovided; and an application platform that can be used in connectionwith a retailer's Internet portal is also provided.

[0006] The present invention includes in a system for managing sales,financial, vehicle and inventory information for a vehicle dealership, amethod for processing the dealership vehicle information. The methodincludes the steps of defining first criteria for receiving dealershipvehicle data from a dealership, the first criteria including anindicator indicating whether the dealership vehicle data includes datafor at least one of new and used vehicles, defining second criteria forreceiving dealership vehicle data from the dealership, the secondcriteria being dependent on the indicator for new and used vehicles, andreceiving and storing in one step vehicle data for each dealership inaccordance with the first and second criteria.

[0007] The present invention also includes a method for determining anadjusted gross profit for a dealership on a vehicle manufactured by amanufacturer and sold by the dealership. The method includes the stepsof determining a free days amount based on a cost of the vehicle andfirst interest assistance variables associated with the manufacturer ofthe vehicle, determining an interest cost based on the cost of thevehicle, a number of days in inventory, and second interest assistancevariables associated with the manufacturer, and calculating an adjustedgross profit for the vehicle based on a gross profit of the dealershipon the sale of the vehicle, the free days amount, and the interest cost.

[0008] The present invention further includes a method for managingvehicle sales and inventory for a dealership. The method includes thesteps of defining criteria for receiving and storing sales, financial,and inventory data relating to a vehicle in an inventory of adealership, receiving and storing the vehicle data according to thedefined criteria, the vehicle data including data relating to aninterest assistance program associated with a manufacturer of thevehicle, calculating for the vehicle, an adjusted gross profit based onthe data relating to the interest assistance program associated with themanufacturer of the vehicle, and communicating the adjusted gross profitto the dealership.

[0009] The present invention also includes defining the first criteriaas an indicator of a source computer system of the dealership anddefining the second criteria to include chart-of-accounts parameters.

[0010] The present invention further includes the step of formulating arecommendation for the dealership for prioritizing vehicles for salebased on the adjusted gross profit. The present invention also includesthe steps of computing an average gross profit for a plurality ofvehicles, determining the average gross profit by vehicle model, color,at least one selected vehicle option, vehicle category or vehicle modelyear.

[0011] The present invention also includes the steps of comparing atleast one of sales, inventory, and gross profit data by vehiclecategory, model year, color or how quickly the vehicle was sold. Themethod also includes data relating to an interest assistance program ofthe manufacturer, which includes a number of free days and an amount ofreimbursement, both provided by the manufacturer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the system of thepresent invention.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a process flow diagram of one embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a welcome screen for the illustrated embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0015]FIG. 4 is an administration screen for the illustrated embodimentof the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 5 is a reports maintenance screen for the illustratedembodiment of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 6 is a reports configuration screen for the illustratedembodiment of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 7 is a store profile screen for the illustrated embodiment ofthe present invention.

[0019]FIG. 8 is a chart of accounts screen for the illustratedembodiment of the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 9 is a filters screen for the illustrated embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0021]FIG. 10 is an import configuration screen for the illustratedembodiment of the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 11 is an import review screen for the illustrated embodimentof the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 12 is a classes review screen for the illustrated embodimentof the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 13 is a vehicle types review screen for the illustratedembodiment of the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 14 is a color codes review screen for the illustratedembodiment of the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 15 is a new accounts review screen for the illustratedembodiment of the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 16 is a report listing screen for the illustrated embodimentof the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 17 is a report modules screen for the illustrated embodimentof the present invention.

[0029]FIG. 18 is an example report generated in the illustratedembodiment of the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 19 is a data model for the illustrated embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0031]FIG. 20 is an exemplary field map.

[0032]FIG. 21 is a flow diagram for a free days calculation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033]FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of one embodiment of the presentinvention. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, retailer/dealership data (e.g.,financial and inventory data for new and/or used vehicles) is receivedfrom one or more remote systems 4 and processed and analyzed at a maincomputer system 2. Results of the processing and analysis arecommunicated back to the respective remote systems 4 via communicationsnetwork 6, for example, in the form of reports that may be used by theretailers to make decisions regarding their inventory.

[0034] In alternative embodiments, processing and/or analysis of thedata may be performed at one or more of remote sites 4 for a particularretailer/dealership or multiple retailers/dealerships, thus eliminatingthe need for a main computer system 2. Alternatively, a main computersystem 2 could be located at one or more of remote sites 4.

[0035] Main computer system 2 includes at least one: memory 1, inputdevice 3, display device 8, and processor 10 coupled together viaelectrical circuitry, over a network, or other suitable coupling means.Main database 5, user interface software 7, and data processing logic 9are stored in memory 1. Memory 1 may include a main computer memory or aplurality of distributed memory coupled via electrical circuitry.Database 5 is an organized body of related information, such as acollection of data arranged for search and retrieval, and may includestructured tables or records, multiple computer files, or a single file.In the illustrated embodiment, database 5 is designed as a SQL Serverrelational database that stores the imported data for all retailers ordealerships. One of ordinary skill in the art would readily understand,however, that other database designs may be used equally effectively. Inparticular, database 5 may be distributed over multiple storage mediaconnected by a network. In the illustrated embodiment, database 5 storesvehicle information collected from a retailer/dealership and convertedinto a standardized format. Database 5 also stores configurableinformation about each retailer/dealership.

[0036] Each of remote sites 4 also includes a memory 1, input device 3,display device 8, and processor 10. Remote sites 4 may be personalcomputers, portable or “laptop” computers, handheld devices such aspersonal digital assistants, or any other suitable computing device.

[0037] Input device 3 is, for example, a computer mouse, electronicstylus (or “pen”), touch screen, keyboard, voice recognition system, orother similar apparatus. Display device 8 is a computer monitor, LCDdisplay or similar device (including a display of a personal digitalassistant or other handheld or portable device). Processor 10 is one ormore microprocessors which executes data processing logic 9 to performthe method of the present invention using data stored in database 5 anddata received via one or more input devices 3, and to operate userinterface software 7 on display device 8 or on another suitable displaydevice coupled to a dealership system 4 via communications network 6.The illustrated embodiment is implemented as an Internet-based systemutilizing third party software products such as Active Server Pages andCrystal Reports, however, it is understood that other suitable productsmay be used.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, user interface 7 does notdifferent greatly from retailer to retailer. The underlying processingand analysis functions differ based on the module type (e.g., new orused vehicle module) and the source of the data, i.e., the existingcomputer system used by each retailer or dealership (e.g., Reynolds,ADP, etc.). For example, in general, the number of files, file mappingprocedures, data conversion parameters, and reporting features aredetermined at least in part by module type and retailer/dealershipsource computer system.

[0039] Main computer system 2 is coupled to one or more retailer ordealership computer systems 4 via communications network 6. Sales,inventory, financial, and other data is received by system 2 from eachof the retailers or dealerships 4 via communications network 6. Dataand/or reports generated based on the information received from remotesites 4 are transmitted from system 2 to one or more of theretailers/dealerships 4 via communications network 6.

[0040] Communications network 6 is any suitable system of components andcircuitry capable of enabling computing systems and devices such assystems 2, 4 to communicate, for example, the Internet, an intranet orother suitable internal or external, public, private or restrictednetwork, including networks implemented by telephone lines, DSL links,cable, wireless or other suitable network means.

[0041]FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram for system 2. Blocks 11, 12, 14, and16 generally represent activities that may be performed prior toimporting data from a remote site 4 or at any time thereafter. Blocks20, 26, and 34 generally represent activities relating to the importprocess. Blocks 32, 36, 38 and 40 generally represent activitiesrelating to the analysis of the imported data and generation of reportsthat may be communicated to remote sites 4.

[0042] At block 11, a user navigates to a welcome screen or “home page”portion of user interface 7, e.g., screen 42 shown in FIG. 3, using aninput device 3. The welcome screen may be a web page on the Internet, orother suitable display screen. A user may be required to establishproper authorization to continue, such as a user name and password, orby other suitable authorization means. As shown in blocks 12, 14, and16, once a user is logged in, the user may choose to edit administrativeoptions, edit information for an existing retailer or dealershiplocation (or “store”), and/or add a new retailer or dealership location.The user selects an option using input device 3. In the illustratedembodiment, the user uses a computer mouse to point to the desiredoption and then depresses the mouse key (or “clicks”) to select thatoption.

[0043] At block 12, information that will affect the general operationof system 2 maybe entered or edited. For example, printer setupparameters for printing reports are configured at block 12. It isunderstood by those skilled in the art that other administrativeoptions, such as setup of user accounts, may be configured at block 12.Access to the administration option may be restricted to users who haveestablished proper authorization.

[0044] At block 14, the user may view information relating to anexisting retailer or dealership location (or “store”). The user choosesa retailer or dealership location to view, for example, from a pull-downlist as shown in FIG. 3, with a mouse or other input device 3. The usermay then choose from the following options: import a new module at block20, review existing modules at block 18, or edit information relating tothe retailer location or dealership (the “store profile”) at block 22.As used in the context of this illustrated embodiment, a “module” refersto one or more reports, a group of reports, or a report “package”, thatmay be generated one time or on a periodic basis, for example, daily,monthly, quarterly, or annually, for one or more retailer or dealershiplocations, for one or more vehicle types (e.g., new or used vehicles).In the illustrated embodiment, each module also includes the data usedin each report and instructions for generating the report.

[0045] If the user chooses to import data for a new module at block 20,an import configuration page, such as is illustrated in FIG. 10, isdisplayed. In the illustrated embodiment, during the import process, the“import configuration” page 212 is designed to initiate transfer of theimport files from a client retailer or dealership system 4 to maincomputer system 2 and perform in one step the import processing for thefiles transferred to main computer system 2. When the import andconversion process is complete, any errors that may have occurred arecommunicated via user interface 7.

[0046] At block 26, the user inputs parameters such as the frequency ofimport (e.g., monthly) and module type (e.g., new or used vehicles) forthe import process. Also at block 26, the user enters the informationneeded to locate the data to be imported on remote site 4, such as thepath and filename of the files. At block 26, the entering of thenecessary information and the importing process is performed as a singlestep.

[0047] Back at block 16, a user may add a new retailer or dealershiplocation to the system 2. When a user selects this option at block 16, aretailer or dealership location profile page such as is illustrated inFIG. 7 is displayed, permitting a new profile to be created. Theprofile, which is described in more detail below, is used in theimporting and conversion of data and in the compiling of reports. Datafor a new profile is input at block 24. Once a new profile is created, achart-of-accounts for the new retailer or dealership location isimported at block 28. Once the chart-of-accounts is imported, theprocess proceeds to block 14, or to block 22, where the profile may beviewed or edited.

[0048] Any errors occurring during import processing are detected atblock 30. At block 32, the user may initiate a process to research andresolve an error based on the information obtained at block 30. If anerror has been determined, the user may re-import the data at block 26.If the import process executes without generating errors, data updatesmay be performed, e.g., via an “import review” page 236 such as is shownin FIG. 11, at block 34. Page 236 enables a user to update importedinformation or enter any missing information, such as classes (e.g.,“Invision” classes), vehicle types, or color codes, or to add any newinformation to the system that was not found in the retailer ordealership's chart-of-accounts.

[0049] At block 36, the user may view one or more of the reportsavailable for the selected module on a display 324 such as isillustrated in FIG. 16. The user may view the reports on display device8, e.g., by clicking a “View” link. The user may also print the reportsto either a default printer or to another selected printer at block 40.At block 38, if an error is detected through the reporting process, theuser may re-import the data by returning to blocks 32, 26.

[0050] Once created, modules may be viewed or updated by a user at anytime, e.g., by navigating to a “profile” page 100 such as is illustratedin FIG. 7, or an “import configuration” page 212 such as is illustratedin FIG. 10.

[0051]FIG. 3 illustrates an example “welcome” screen 42 for theillustrated embodiment of the present invention. A user enters orselects a retailer or dealership location at input area 44. Input area44 is, for example, a pull-down list of retailer or dealership namesfrom which the user selects the desired location. Input area 44 also maypermit the user to type in all or a portion of a retailer or dealershiplocation identifier, such as the retailer or dealership name or anidentifying code. This page also allows the user to create a newprofile, e.g., by selecting the “add dealership store” link 46, and toperform administration functions, e.g., by selecting the“administration” link 48.

[0052]FIG. 4 illustrates an example “administration” page 50 for theillustrated embodiment. Administration page 50 includes links to otherpages that assist a user in the overall administration of the system ofthe present invention, such as a “home” link 52 which, when selected,returns the user to the home or welcome page 42, a “report maintenance”link 54 which, when selected, displays a “reports maintenance” screen 60such as is illustrated at FIG. 5, and a “color code maintenance” link 56which, when selected, displays a “color codes review” screen 290 such asis illustrated at FIG. 14. Other links can also be displayed on“administration” page 50, for example, links to screens 250 and 268illustrated at FIGS. 12 and 13.

[0053]FIG. 5 illustrates an example “reports maintenance” screen 60 forthe illustrated embodiment. This page allows the user to edit, delete,and add reports to the system of the present invention. Access to thesefunctions may be restricted to only those users with properauthorization. “Administration” link 62 when selected displays anadministration screen 50 such as is illustrated at FIG. 4. “Logoff” link64 when selected disconnects the user from the system of the presentinvention. The names of available reports 72 are displayed for newvehicles, e.g., under the title “New Vehicle Reports.” The names ofavailable reports 80 are displayed for used vehicles, e.g., under thetitle “Used Vehicle Reports.” Available reports for new and/or usedvehicles include inventory detail, gross profit totals by category,average gross profit per vehicle by model, by color, and/or by options;sales history (including how quickly certain vehicles are sold);interest cost analysis; inventory analysis; and comparison of sales,gross product, inventory, etc., by vehicle model, category, or modelyear.

[0054] “Edit” links 66, 74 when selected permit authorized users to editthe corresponding report 72, 80, listed under, e.g., the “Report Name”heading. “Delete” links 68, 76 when selected permit authorized users todelete the corresponding report 72, 80. Whether the report is printed ordisplayed in color is indicated at color display columns 82,86. Anidentification name or code for the printer(s) to which thecorresponding reports 72, 80 are printed is indicated at printer displaycolumns 84, 88. The data source for new vehicle reports may be the sameas or different from the data source for used vehicle reports. Byselecting the “add report” button 78, the user may add a new report tothe system as described below.

[0055]FIG. 6 shows a “report configuration” screen 90 for theillustrated embodiment of the present invention. Page 90 enables theuser to edit or add reports to the system of the present invention, andis displayed, for example, when a user selects the “add new report”button 78. The user inputs the name of the report at input area 92. Theuser selects whether to print or display the report in color atinput/selection area 94. In the illustrated embodiment, input/selectionarea 94 is a radio button which operates to select either the “yes”button or the “no” button. The user inputs or selects from a list thename or identifying code of the printer(s) to which the report will beprinted at input/selection area 95. “Update” button 96 when selectedupdates the report configuration information in database 5. “Cancel”button 98 cancels the user's actions on the report configuration screen90.

[0056]FIG. 7 shows a retailer or dealership “profile” screen 100 for theillustrated embodiment of the present invention. This page enables auser to add or update retailer or dealership profiles. “Chart ofaccounts” link 102 when selected displays a chart of accounts screensuch as is illustrated in FIG. 8. “Import” link 104 when selecteddisplays an import configuration screen such as is illustrated in FIG.10. “Logoff” link 106 permits the user to cease using the system.

[0057] The retailer or dealership name, company group, region, salesrange in units, computer system, produce new vehicle module, produceused vehicle module, floor plan interest rate, average cost rangevariance, show 30 days supply on reports, show 90 days supply onreports, number of trucks to show in hit list, number of cars to show inhit list, days supply, account numbers to include/exclude from spiffpool, stock numbers to include/exclude, and range of journal numbers toinclude/exclude are titles representative of data entered at input areas108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134,136, 138, and 140, respectively, for a retailer or dealership. Theseinput areas are illustratively a blank entry space where the usermanually enters data, a pull down list from which the user selects thedata, a check box that the user selects, e.g., to indicate that a newproduct or vehicle module is to be produced, or other type of inputfacility.

[0058] Some profile data may be requested based on a particularcharacteristic of a product, such as whether the vehicle type is new orused. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the data at inputareas 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 142, 144, 146, 148 and 150 arerequested if a “produce new vehicle module” flag 118 is activated andfields 152, 154, 156, 158, 160 and 162 are activated if a “produce usedvehicle module” flag 120 is activated.

[0059] Input file maps for new or used product or vehicle files are alsoentered via profile screen 100. For example, the input files displayedat input areas 142, 144, 146, 148, and 150 are displayed when the“produce new vehicle module” box 118 is selected. For new products orvehicles, the input files include data relating to, e.g., sales,purchases, inventory, colors, and trial balance. The input filesdisplayed at input areas 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, and 162 are displayedwhen “produce used vehicle module” box 120 is selected. For usedproducts or vehicles, the input files include data relating to, e.g.,sales, purchases, trade-in sales—new, trade-in sales—used, and trialbalance. The retailer or dealership profile is updated when the “updatestore profile” button 164 is selected. The “clear values” button 168,when selected, clears all of the values entered in the input areas onthe profile screen 100.

[0060] Once a new profile is completed and a user selects the “updateprofile” button 164, a “chart-of-accounts” page 170, such as isillustrated at FIG. 8, is displayed. Page 170 enables a user to importtrial balance data, generate a chart-of-accounts, and update accounttypes for newly imported and existing accounts. The account listingshowing account number 186, account description 188, and account type190 will appear after a trial balance has been imported, or if a trialbalance has been imported previously. A user enters a location, e.g.,path and filename, for a trial balance file to be imported at input area172. In the illustrated embodiment, input area 172 is implemented with abrowse feature which enables a user to search for the desired file name.At input area 174, a user selects whether imported data should update oroverwrite the existing data. The “import” button 178, when selected,results in the trial balance being imported into database 5. The“cancel” button 180, when selected, cancels the current operation. Oncetrial balance data is imported, a listing of the accounts in the trialbalance is automatically generated, including, e.g., the account number186 and account description 188. A user may review and either approve oredit the accounts list. At input areas 190, a user selects an accounttype for each account. For example, suitable account types may includeinventory, cost of goods sold, and sales. Once a user has edited all ofthe account types and selects the “update” button 192, the store profilepage 100 is reloaded. The system may now be configured to importretailer or dealership data.

[0061]FIG. 9 shows an example “filters” screen 196 for the illustratedembodiment. “Filters” screen 196 is used to update filters applied toimported data. Filters are used to verify that data is imported in aproper format or for reformatting data or organizing data into aparticular order. Page 196 allows for both single value and rangefilters, e.g, using starting number 198, ending number 200, andinclude/exclude selection area 202. Page 196 also allows the use ofwildcards for entering filters. “Remove” link 204 permits a user toremove a filter. “Add item” button 206 permits a user to add a filter.“Update” button 208 permits a user to update the current entry. “Cancel”button 210 permits the user to cancel the current operation.

[0062]FIG. 10 shows an example “import configuration” screen 212 for theillustrated embodiment. The “import configuration” page 212 enables theuser to import files and build a reporting module for a retailer ordealership. “Store profile” button 214 when selected displays a profilescreen such as is illustrated in FIG. 7. “Modules” button 216 whenselected permits the user to view report modules. “Logoff” button 218permits the user to discontinue using the system. The date range, e.g.,first and last day of sales data to import, are entered at input areas220 and 222. The module type (e.g., new or used products or vehicles) isselected at selection area 224. The available module types correspond tothe module types listed in the retailer or dealership profile. If themodule is not new, but was previously created, a re-import option isselected at selection area 226. In the illustrated embodiment, theavailable re-import options are “update” and “overwrite.” If “update” isselected, newly imported data will be appended to existing data. If“overwrite” is selected, new data will replace the older data. Under thetitle “Import File Locations,” the location of the sales, purchases,inventory, trial balance, and other files are entered. If additionalfiles need to be entered, the “add file” button 232 is selected. Abrowse feature is also available if files need to be added. Once theinformation in import configuration screen 212 is complete, the “startimport and conversion process” button 234 is selected to begin theimport process.

[0063]FIG. 11 illustrates an example “import review” page 236. Theimport review page 236 enables the user to review errors that may haveoccurred during the import and conversion process initiated by button234. For example, page 236 permits the user to review products orvehicles with missing classes (e.g. “Invision” classes) at link area242, vehicles with missing car/truck types at link area 244, vehicleswith missing color codes at link area 246, and new general ledgeraccounts at link area 248. The reports button 238 permits the user togenerate or review reports. A sample report is shown in FIG. 18, asdiscussed below. The “re-import” button 240 if selected permits data tobe re-imported.

[0064]FIG. 12 illustrates an example “classes review” screen 250. Page250 enables a user to update classes (e.g., “Invision” classes) ofvehicles for which data was imported. Each vehicle that does not have aclass already identified in the database 5 is listed by vehicleidentification number (VIN) 256, make 258, and model 260. The class fora corresponding vehicle is entered or selected at input area 262. The“update” button 264 when selected updates database 5 with theappropriate class information. The cancel button 266 when selectedcancels the current operation.

[0065]FIGS. 13 and 14 operate similarly to FIG. 12. The “product orvehicle types review” page 268 enables a user to update informationrelating to the types of products or vehicles that were imported. Forexample, for vehicles, the product type may be “small car”, “midsizecar”, “sporty car”, “full size car”, “small truck”, “sport utilityvehicle”, “full size truck”, “minivan”, or “van.” The “color codesreview” page 290 enables a user to update the color codes of theproducts or vehicles for which data was imported. “Update” buttons 270,284, 292, 304 and “cancel” buttons 272, 286, 294, 306 operate in thesame manner as buttons 252 and 254, respectively. In “product or vehicletypes review” page 268, identification number (e.g., VIN) 274, make 278,and model 280 are displayed for products or vehicles that do not alreadyhave a type listed in database 5. The product or vehicle type is enteredor selected at input area 282 for the corresponding product or vehicle.In “color codes review” page 290, year 296, model 298, and listed color300 are displayed for products or vehicles that have a color code thatwas not found in database 5. A new color is entered or selected at inputarea 302.

[0066]FIG. 15 illustrates an example “new accounts review” page 308.This page enables a user to update accounts that were added to thechart-of-accounts from a trial balance import. “Update” buttons 310, 320and “cancel” buttons 312, 322 operate in the same manner aspreviously-described update and cancel buttons, respectively. Accountnumber 314 and account description 316 are displayed for each suchaccount. Account type is entered or selected at input area 318.

[0067]FIG. 16 illustrates an example “report listing” screen 324. Thispage lists all of the reports that can be view or printed for a selectedreport module. A user can select multiple reports to print at the sametime or change the printer to which a report is sent. “Profile” button326, “modules” button 328, “re-import” button 330, and “logoff” button332 operate in the same manner as similar buttons previously described.For each report, report name 336, color option 338, and printer option340 are displayed.

[0068]FIG. 17 illustrates an example “report modules” screen 352. Thispage lists all of the report modules that are available for a selectedretailer or dealership. This page enables authorized users to view,edit, and delete modules. “Profile” button 354, “import” button 358, and“logoff” button 360 operate in the same manner as similar buttonspreviously described. A list of new and used product/vehicle modules fora retailer or dealership is displayed on screen 352. For each module,period by the module 368, 378 and last modified date 370, 380 aredisplayed. If selected, “view” links 362, 372 permit a user to view themodule information. If selected, “remove” links 364, 374 permit a userto remove a module.

[0069]FIG. 18 illustrates an example report 382. Sample report 382displays, for a particular vehicle model sold by a dealer, saleshistory, gross profit, and inventory information. Below the inventoryinformation, sales data sorted by options is presented, and a summary oforders indicating fast-selling colors is shown below the option data. Itis understood that each section of each report may be customized byretailer or dealership, for example, to show data in tabular or graphicformat, and that the sections of the report (i.e., the data presented)may also be customized.

[0070] Reports are pre-defined or may be created or modified by the userat run-time. Once a report has been generated, the users have the optionof creating a hard copy of the report by sending it to a defaultprinter. After the report has been generated to an output screen, theusers will have the option of exporting the data, for example, to aspreadsheet (as well as other formats) for further analysis. Any reportgenerated by system 2 may be printed or sent to other individuals via astandard electronic mail or messaging service if such option is selectedby a user or if system 2 is programmed to automatically do so.

[0071]FIG. 19 illustrates a logical data model for database 5 of theillustrated embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, database 5includes interlinking tables for products/vehicles 402, trial balance404, chart of accounts 410, account types 416, locations 406, importfiles 408, modules 420, location number filters 422, maps 418, mapfields 424, manufacturers 426, vehicles 428, number filters 430, datatypes 432, computer system 434, reports 436, sales ranges 438, regions440, company groups 442, color codes 444, subtype codes 446, type codes448, models 450, cost ranges 452, and color code alternates 454. Rawgross profit 456, summary schedules 458, raw schedules 460, raw sales462, raw journals 464, raw purchases 466, raw trial balance 468, and rawcolor codes 470 are additional tables in database 5. In the illustratedembodiment, database 5 is a relational database, however, it isunderstood that any suitable database technology may be used.

[0072] The import process of the present invention imports data intodatabase 5 using a field map (described below). Each module pulls therequested data from a source file (e.g., field-by-field,record-by-record) and imports it into corresponding temporary importtables 456,458, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468 and 470. After data is imported,the sales, purchases, and inventory data in the temporary tables issummarized and filtered, based on filters defined in the profile for theretailer or dealership, as discussed above. The data is transferred to a“store vehicles” table 428 in database 5. The trial balance data in thetemporary tables is transferred to a trial balance table 404 in database5. In the illustrated embodiment, data for each vehicle in storevehicles table 428 is processed to calculate carrying costs and costranges for the vehicle. All of the vehicles in store vehicles table 428are processed through the “VINDecoder,” a third-party software tool. The“decoded” VIN information is written to a “vehicles” table 402 indatabase 5. Data in the temporary “color codes import” table 470 is usedto update “color codes” table 444 and “vehicles” table 402. If an importprocess encounters a field that does not match the corresponding fieldin database 5 (e.g., type, size, etc.), the import process stops andinforms the user that an error or mismatch has occurred and where theerror occurred. The import process also checks to see if the importeddata is in the proper format according to the field map.

[0073] In the illustrated embodiment, each retailer or dealership has afield map stored in database 5. Field maps are entered directly intosystem 2 or a custom field map may be created outside of system 2 andthen transferred into map tables 418, 424 in database 5. Once a fieldmap is stored in database 5, it may be used to map the import filefields for a retailer/dealership to the corresponding fields in database5. An example field map is shown in FIG. 20.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 20, a field map in accordance with theillustrated embodiment includes certain prescribed information fortransferring a field of data into database 5, such as a map name 472,module type 474, source computer system 476, field name 478, startposition 480, length 482, data type 484 and conversion program 486. Mapname 472 is typically the name of the retailer or dealership. Moduletype 474 is either “new” or “0” for new vehicles, or “used” or “1” forused vehicles. Source computer system 476 is an indicator of theexisting system and by the retailer/dealership (e.g., Reynolds, ADP,UCS, etc.). Field name 478 identifies the field name in database 5 thatcorresponds to the data field being imported. Start position 480, length482, and data type 484 are used to identify position of the data fieldin the import file, the length of the field, and the type of data in thefield (e.g., character, integer, boolean, etc.). Conversion program 486identifies a function or computer program used to reformat the data inthe field (e.g., to a particular date format).

[0075]FIG. 21 shows a flow diagram of calculations that are performedusing data in database 5. Blocks 488-494 of FIG. 21 show the “free days”calculations. In the retail vehicle industry, vehicle retailers receivea certain number of “free days” from a floor plan lender after a vehicleis delivered to the dealer's lot before interest begins to accrue. Ifthe vehicle is sold before the free days period expires, the dealer getsa credit. The ability to turn inventory quickly can thereforesignificantly affect the dealer's annual interest costs.

[0076] At block 488 of FIG. 20, the gross profit of the retailer for avehicle is calculated as the gross sales amount minus the dealer's cost.Gross sales amount and cost values are obtained from database 5.

[0077] At block 490, the “interest cost” to the dealer is determined.Interest cost is calculated according to the following equation: (CarCost×Reduced Floor Plan Rate×(Reduced Floor Plan Days/365))+(CarCost×Floor Plan Rate×(Days in Inventory−Reduced Floor Plan Days/365)).Car cost is the dealer's cost of the vehicle. Reduced floor plan rate isthe interest rate used to compute the interest assistance, and may varyby manufacturer. Reduced floor plan days is the number of days for whichinterest assistance is provided, and may vary by manufacturer. Floorplan rate is the interest rate charged by the dealer's floor planlender. Days in inventory is the actual number of days a vehicle is inthe dealer's inventory. Reduced floor plan days is the lesser of thenumber of days set by the manufacturer or the actual number of days inthe dealer's inventory.

[0078] At block 492, the “free days amount” is determined. The free daysamount may be set as a flat amount by vehicle model, or calculatedseparately for each vehicle. If the free days amount is to becalculated, it is calculated according to the equation: Free DaysAmount=Cost×Free Days Rate−Interest Cost Amount, where cost is thedealer's cost of the vehicle, free days rate is the interest rate usedto compute the free days reimbursement, and interest cost amount is acalculated value as described above. The free days amount is calculatedfor each vehicle sold during the period (e.g., month) and then averagedfor each predefined aging category (e.g., over 30, 60, 90, 120 days,etc.).

[0079] At block 494, the dealer's adjusted gross profit, or gross profitadjusted by the free days calculation, is determined. Adjusted grossprofit is calculated according to the following formula: Adjusted GrossProfit=Gross Profit+Free Days Amount−Interest Cost Amount. Gross Profitis the amount obtained in step 488 described above. Interest Cost Amountis the amount computed in step 490 described above. Free Days Amount isthe amount calculated in step 492 described above.

[0080] The present invention performs the free days calculationsseparately for each vehicle and manufacturer. As a result, the free daysanalysis is an improvement over prior art systems, which do notcustomize the calculations by vehicle and manufacturer.

[0081] These and other calculations performed by the system of thepresent invention enable dealerships to identify hot-selling andslow-moving inventory. For example, hot-selling inventory may includevehicle models for which a certain percentage, e.g., at least 50%, turnover in less than 30 days. Slow-moving inventory may include vehiclesthat turn over in six months. The hot-selling or slow-moving inventorymay also be sorted by vehicle color and/or option package. For example,reports generated by the system of the present invention identifywhether a certain color or option package has or has not sold wellduring a specified period, e.g., in the last 30 days, 6 months, etc.Based on these reports, the retailer can specify that no more vehiclesbe ordered in that color or with that particular option package. On theother hand, if the reports indicate that a certain vehicle model, color,and/or option package is selling well, the dealership can order more ofthe hot-selling vehicles.

[0082] Although the invention has been described in detail withreference to certain illustrated embodiments, it is understood thatvariations exist within the scope and spirit of the invention, asdescribed and defined in the following claims.

We claim:
 1. In a system for managing sales, financial, vehicle andinventory information for a vehicle dealership, a method for processingthe dealership vehicle information, the method comprising the steps of:defining first criteria for receiving dealership vehicle data from adealership, the first criteria including an indicator indicating whetherthe dealership vehicle data includes data for at least one of new andused vehicles, defining second criteria for receiving dealership vehicledata from the dealership, the second criteria being dependent on theindicator for new and used vehicles, and receiving and storing in onestep vehicle data for each dealership in accordance with the first andsecond criteria.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first criteriafurther include an indicator of a source computer system of thedealership.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second criteriafurther include chart-of-accounts parameters.
 4. A method fordetermining an adjusted gross profit for a dealership on a vehiclemanufactured by a manufacturer and sold by the dealership, the methodcomprising the steps of: receiving data relating to the adjusted grossprofit of a vehicle, determining a free days amount based on a cost ofthe vehicle and first interest assistance variables associated with themanufacturer of the vehicle, determining an interest cost based on thecost of the vehicle, a number of days in inventory, and second interestassistance variables associated with the manufacturer, and calculatingan adjusted gross profit for the vehicle based on a gross profit of thedealership on the sale of the vehicle, the free days amount, and theinterest cost, and communicating the adjusted gross profit to thedealership.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step offormulating a recommendation for the dealership for prioritizingvehicles for sale based on the adjusted gross profit.
 6. The method ofclaim 4, further comprising the step of computing an average grossprofit for a plurality of vehicles.
 7. The method of claim 6, whereinthe average gross profit is determined by vehicle model.
 8. The methodof claim 6, wherein the average gross profit is determined by vehiclecolor.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein the average gross profit isdetermined by at least one selected vehicle option.
 10. The method ofclaim 6, wherein the average gross profit is determined by vehiclecategory.
 11. The method of claim 6, wherein the average gross profit isdetermined by vehicle model year.
 12. The method of claim 4, wherein thefirst interest assistance variables include a free days interest rateand a number of free days.
 13. The method of claim 4, wherein the secondinterest assistance variables include a reduced floor plan interestrate, a number of reduced floor plan days, and a floor plan interestrate.
 14. A method for managing vehicle sales and inventory for adealership, the method comprising the steps of: defining criteria forreceiving and storing sales, financial, and inventory data relating to avehicle in an inventory of a dealership, receiving and storing thevehicle data according to the defined criteria, the vehicle dataincluding data relating to an interest assistance program associatedwith a manufacturer of the vehicle, calculating for the vehicle, anadjusted gross profit based on the data relating to the interestassistance program associated with the manufacturer of the vehicle, andcommunicating the adjusted gross profit to the dealership.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, further comprising the step of comparing at leastone of sales, inventory, and gross profit data by vehicle category. 16.The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of comparing atleast one of sales, inventory, and gross profit data by vehicle modelyear.
 17. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step ofcomparing at least one of sales, inventory, and gross profit data byvehicle color.
 18. The method of claim 14, further comprising the stepof comparing the adjusted gross profit to data indicating how quicklythe vehicle was sold.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the datarelating to an interest assistance program of the manufacturer includesa number of free days provided by the manufacturer.
 20. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the data relating to an interest assistance program ofthe manufacturer includes an amount of reimbursement provided by themanufacturer.